Joe Mungo Reed delves into the intricate interplay of desire, ambition, and social standing. His prose is characterized by a keen insight into the human psyche and a precise stylistic approach. Reed's narratives often teeter on the edge between reality and dreamlike atmosphere, compelling readers to question their own perceptions of the world. His work represents a significant contribution to the contemporary literary landscape.
'A dazzling debut by an exciting and essential new talent' George Saunders, Man Booker Prize winning author of Lincoln in the Bardo For Sol and Liz, competition is everything. On the road or in the lab, it's all on the line.
2013. Much of the world still reels from the global economic collapse, yet in the auction rooms of London artworks are selling for record-breaking prices. Martin, a junior specialist at a prestigious auction house, spends his days catering to the whims of obscenely wealthy clients and his nights drinking in grubby pubs. A chance meeting with Marina, an old university friend, whose husband, Oleg, is an art-collecting oligarch. Chafing against his diminishing influence in his homeland, Oleg appears ready to relinquish his priceless art collection long coveted by London's auction houses-- and Martin is determined to secure the sale and transform his career. -- adapted from jacket